Dear Dr. Jost

Turkish has been founded in 1919 in Istanbul. At present, it has more than 2000 members who are chemists, chemistry teachers and chemical engineers. Our society has organized various national and international conferences. 35th IUPAC Congress , 18th ICCE and 9 th ECRICE were some of the important meetings organized by Turkish Chemical Society with very successful outcomes. We would like to announce that we are keenly interested in hosting the IUPAC General Assembly and Congress in 2013. Turkish Chemical Society accepts complete financial responsibility for both the Congress and the General Assembly. We are proud of being able to provide all the facilities needed for the IUPAC General Assembly and Congress listed by IUPAC. We can also guarantee to organize the IUPAC General Assembly and the Congress from the plenary session to the closing ceremonies using the latest technology. We have selected the general Conference theme as “BETTER AND CLEANER ENERGY THROUGH CHEMISTRY”

Istanbul has many conference and exhibition areas. Because of the better, more centralized location and more accommodation alternatives, we believe that the Conference Valley in Istanbul would be the best choice for IUPAC General Assembly and Congress.

This district combines leading international and Turkish 3-, 4- and 5-star hotels within walking distance from the Conference Valley. Our choice in the Congress Valley is the Hilton Hotel& Exhibition Center.

The capacities and sizes of the meeting rooms are given below:

HILTON HOTEL CONVENTION & EXHIBITION CENTER

Meeting Room Capacity Area in m2 Convention Upper Hall 1500 1344 Convention Lower Hall Section 1 400 464 Convention Lower Hall Section 2 450 544 Convention Lower Hall Section 3 400 470 Ballroom 1 180 253

Ballroom 2 180 268 Ballroom 3 70 84 Sadirvan A 250 346 Sadirvan B 300 347 Altin Kubbe 200 408 Sedir 75 93 Fatih 1 40 80 Fatih 2 80 100 Mercury 1 40 45 Mercury 2 30 35 Mercury 3 30 35 Saturn 60 85 Neptune 50 98 Jupiter 70 99 Venus 12 34 Hyde Park 20 48 Central Park 10 28 Macka Park 20 59 Orman Park 30 46

Except all these meeting rooms, Hilton also offers 3 garden areas for opening or banquet. Since it is going to be a nice summer period for Istanbul, the garden areas will be used for many purposes such as opening, coffee breaks, lunches and banquet dinner.

HILTON HOTEL CONVENTION & EXHIBITION CENTER Garden Areas

Area Capacity Area in m2 Ballroom Terrace 1000 Garden Area Outdoor Pool 2000 1965 The Gardens 450 Garden Area

The last 14 rooms(except venus and central park)will be used for the General Assembly. Convention Lower Hall Section 1 can be divided by sound isolated seperator systems and used for the General Assembly as additional rooms. Venus and central park can be used for secretariat and IUPAC officers.The Hilton Hotel ‘ll aso provide some additional rooms(bigger than 30 m2 , at least 5 rooms) for secretariat and IUPAC officers.

Convention Lower Hall Section 2 will be used for poster sessions. Convention Lower Hall Section 3 can also be be used for exhibition. The rest of the rooms in Hilton Hotel& Exhibition Center such as Ballrooms1,2,3 and Sadirvan A,B and Altin Kubbe can be used for the parallel session in the Conference.

As you can see the number and sizes of the meeting rooms are suitable to host IUPAC General Assembly and the Congress. Besides, latest technology, internet access, computer facilities and space for IUPAC secretariat and offices for IUPAC officers are also available. In addition to that, using the latest technology we will also provide online registration system, online abstract and poster application system and self registration system for IUPAC General Assembly and the Congress. Participants attending the IUPAC General Assembly and Congress in 2011 will be offered a wide range of accommodation from 5 star hotels to dormitories. Istanbul is a cultural, dynamic and modern city and set squarely between two continents. Istanbul has also cultures and traditions that blend East with the West and Mediterranean with Anatolian. With one foot in Europe and another in Asia, vibrant atmosphere rooted in history while facing toward the future, Istanbul is truly as much a crossroad of ideas and cultures today as ever. Each civilization that has made its home in Istanbul has left its mark in some way. Istanbul’s outstanding infrastructure, including modern, luxurious accommodation, state-of-the-art conference and exhibition venues and experienced conference professionals, makes it a logical choice for meeting. When combined with the city’s fabulous history and stunning natural beauty, not to mention cultural riches, exciting shopping, sophisticated night life and world-class dinning, it is not hard to figure out why top international associations choose Istanbul. MehmetMahramanlıoglu Nesrin Emekli General Secretary of Turkish Chemical Society President of Turkish Chemical Society

IUPAC General Assembly and Congress 2015

July 31(Fri)~August 6(Thu): General Assembly August 2(Sun)~7(Fri): Congress

KOREAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY

34-1, 5-ga, Anam-dong, Seongbuk-gu, 136-075, Korea Tel: +82-2-953-2095, Fax: +82-2-953-2093 http://eng.kcsnet.or.kr

The Committee for IUPAC 2015 The Korean Chemical Society IUPAC General Assembly and Congress Executive Summary 2015-Seoul

Chemistry in Korea ●COEX is Korea’s top venue for international Conventions & Exhibitions. COEX also houses the Korean World Trade ●Contributions of Korean Chemists to the World: the rank of publications in chemistry-related SCI journals was 11th in 2007. Center, and shares a home with two 5-star hotels and Asia’s largest shopping mall which includes duty-free shops. ●Universities, Colleges, and Research Institutes: Korea has 199 four-year universities and colleges, 70 of which ●Four specialized exhibition halls that can be partitioned into 12 separate smaller halls, a convention hall that can offered Ph.D. granting graduate programs in chemistry and/or chemical education and has many research accommodate up to 7,000 people at once, and 51 conference rooms that can be partitioned into 89 separate rooms. institutes in science and technology. ●The easiest way to get to the COEX convention center from Incheon International airport is to take a designated ●Korean Petrochemical Industry: The size of production is at 10% of the entire Korean manufacturing sector and it bus. Both limousine and regular coach buses run to most parts of the city. COEX is conveniently accessible shared 2.8% of the world market, which is the 7th largest in the world. through public transportation such as the subways and Seoul metropolitan bus systems.

Korean Chemical Society The Host City - Seoul ●Founded in 1946 and has 6,500 members currently enrolled. Soul of Asia -A Modern City with a Rich History ●Member of IUPAC since 1963 and the Federation of Asian Chemical Societies (FACS) since 1979. Seoul, the capital of Korea for over 600 years, is the place where old traditions and modern trends are wonderfully ●Publishes two academic journals and two magazines mixed in perfect harmony. It attracts visitors from all over the world with abundant traditional heritage and Journals: Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society innovations. Seoul is a city of dynamism full of diverse experiences (over 266 cultural/historical sites) and endless fun The Journal of the Korean Chemical Society with a variety of enjoyable nightlife everywhere. Magazines: Chemical Education CHEMWORLD Access ●Has hosted a number of international, national and regional meetings and conferences. Seoul is well connected by air to the rest of the world. Direct connections available through 84 airlines to 165 cities worldwide. It also has numerous domestic flights to the other cities in Korea. Seoul is one of the safest places in the IUPAC 2015 in Seoul world equipped with a world-class subway and bus system providing visitors convenient and assured transportation. Scientific Programs and Plans For the best of the Sciences Accommodations ●Invitations to eminent scientists and speakers from all over the world. Finding the right accommodations according to your budget is not a difficult task in Seoul. Being the political and ●Five plenary speakers and forty symposia, along with six poster sessions commercial hub of Korea, Seoul offers an outstanding variety of accommodations ranging from world-renowned ●Expect three to four Nobel laureates for plenary lectures hotels to more affordable motels and university dorms.

Young Scientist Programs and Financial Support Korea - Calm yet Dynamic For young and future dreams Elegant Culture with Enduring Traditions Programs and Financial support for young research chemists and scientists including graduate students and Korea serves as the international hub of Asia neighbored by China to the west, Japan to the east and also shares a chemists from economically disadvantaged countries will be available. border with North Korea to the north. Korea’s five-millennia-long history has contributed greatly to its illustrious cultural ●Invitations to Promising Young Researchers heritage and exotic charm. A visit to the country’s numerous historical sites, seven of which were designated UNESCO ●Financial Support for Young Scientists World Cultural Heritage Sites, will make your journey more special. UNESCO recognized the unique character of Korean ●Encouragement for the Chemists from Economically Disadvantaged Countries. culture, which is distinctly different from that of China or Japan. Boasting scenic landscape as well as an abundance of historical/cultural heritage, Korea has much to offer to the tourist. Tourists can visit numerous ancient temples and VENUE - COEX shrines, royal palaces, sculptures, pagodas, archeological sites, fortresses, folk villages and museums. Also enjoyable are One of the top 10 Best World Convention Centers the visits to places rich in scenic splendor such as mountains, ravines and small coastal towns.

02 03 IUPAC General Assembly and Congress 2015 July 31(Fri) ~ August 6(Thu) - General Assembly August 2(Sun) ~ 7(Fri) - Congress

The Korean Chemical Society (KCS) cordially requests the honor to host the General Assembly and Congress of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) in 2015.

Contents

Executive Summary

Letters of Invitation

I. Chemistry in Korea Respectively submitted, The Korean Chemical Society

II. IUPAC 2015 in Seoul: Scientific Programs and Plans - Major Areas of Symposia and Expected Topics - Plenary Lectures Special Programs and Financial Support Budget and Organization

III. Venue - COEX Prof. Minjoong Yoon Prof. Myung Soo Kim COEX Rooms President Chair, The Committee for IUPAC-2015 Supporting Facilities and Services The Korean Chemical Society The Korean Chemical Society COEX - How to get there

V. Host City - Seoul

VI. Korea - History, Culture & Tourist Attractions

04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Chemistry in KOREA

There are 199 four-year universities and colleges in Korea with 70 of them offering Ph.D. granting graduate programs in positions including president, titular members and associated members. With our recent efforts at globalization and chemistry and/or chemical education. The numbers of masters and Ph.D. degrees awarded in chemistry were 568 and active participation, Korea is now ready to host the IUPAC General Assembly and Congress in 2015, for the first time in 115, respectively, in 2007. Chemistry in Korea has gone through rapid and unprecedented growth in both academia and our 45 years of history. industry. In 2007, Korea ranked 11th in the world, in total number of publications in SCI journals. Since the foundation of Korea has hosted a number of meetings and conferences including the national KCS meetings that are held twice a Lucky Chemicals in 1947, the chemical industry has become a leading locomotive of Korea’s development. In 2007, the year. Most recent was 102nd national meeting held in Jeju island, in October of 2007. production of petroleum chemicals - taking up 10% of the entire Korean manufacturing sector - was the 7th largest in the world, sharing 2.8% of the world market. Korea also has many government-funded research institutes in science and technology. The Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST, founded in 1966) and the Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT, 1976) are the Selected international meetings hosted by KCS over the past 10 years two major institutes where both basic and applied researches in chemistry are actively conducted. 1995 4th International Conference on Heteroatom Chemistry Founded in 1946, the Korean Chemical Society (KCS) now has 6,500 regular members, 11 regional and 12 academic 1996 IUPAC CHEMRAWN IX and the 13th IUPAC Conference on Physical Organic Chemistry chapters. Together with four other chemistry-related societies (the Korean Institute of Chemical Engineers, the Korean 1997 12th International Symposium on Macrocyclic Chemistry, AFMC International Medicinal Chemistry Society of Industrial Engineering Chemistry, the Polymer Society of Korea, and the Korean Ceramic Society) they 2001 International Conference on Photoresponsive Organics and Polymers constitute the Korean Union of Chemical Science and Technology Society - KCS actively engages in a wide range of 2005 11th Asian Chemical Congress chemistry and chemistry-related areas to advance chemical sciences for the benefit of humanity. KCS publishes two 13th General Assembly of FACS academic journals (Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society and the Journal of the Korean Chemical Society) and two 2006 38th International Chemistry Olympiad magazines (Chemical Education and CHEMWORLD). 19th International Conference on Chemical Education (IUPAC) Korea has been a member of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) since 1963 and actively 2008 15th International Symposium on Organosilicon Chemistry involved in many IUPAC events and organizations. More than ten Korean chemists are currently participating in IUPAC in 17th International Conference on Organic Synthesis (IUPAC)

18 19 IUPAC 2015 in Seoul Budget The Korean Chemical Society (KCS) will be ready for successful 45th Congress and the 48th General Assembly of the 2015 IUPAC in Seoul with the budget as summarized below:

�Anticipation of 3,000 registered participants, including 500 students. �Government funding provided by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology through the Korean Research SCIENTIFIC PROGRAMS AND PLANS Foundation and Korean Science and Engineering Foundation. �Additional support from the hosting city, Seoul. KCS is confident that it can provide the IUPAC congress with interesting and valuable scientific programs. KCS will invite �Support expected from renowned Korean corporations including Samsung, LG and SK. eminent speakers from all over the world in academic and industrial fields of chemistry and related disciplines. Many �Exhibition to be held in COEX with the participation of companies from Korea and worldwide. international scientists will be invited to chair sessions in their specialty. We are expecting to have five plenary lectures �Special session for prominent young researchers, waive of registration fees for the invited speakers. and forty symposia in nine areas, and six poster sessions. �Special grant to support travel costs and registration fees for graduate students and researchers. �Special fund to encourage the participation of chemists from economically disadvantaged countries. Major Areas of Symposia and Expected Topics �Fundamentals in Chemistry: Reaction, mechanism, structure The financial details are as follows: �Energy: Solar cell, fuel cell, catalyst �Environment: Analytical development, green chemistry, sensor Revenue Forecast US$ Expenditures US$ �Health: Medicine, drug delivery, molecular imaging, diagnosis contributions government 100,000 before advertizing 80,000 �Materials: Nano and bio-nano materials the conference industry 150,000 local committees 160,000 �Natural products, Flavor and Fragrance: Isolation, characterization, synthesis private sector 50,000 sum 240,000 �Spectroscopy: New developments in the state-of-the-arts techniques and instruments sum 300,000 during rental & exhibition 545,000 �Chemical Education: Education for the future generation the conference meeting & reception 390,000 exhibition local (100 booths) 400,000 �Chemistry of the Next Generation: Invitational lectures by promising young researchers invited speaker 250,000 worldwide (20 booths) 80,000 support for special program 100,000 sum 480,000 Plenary Lectures sum 1,285,000 registration full participants 1,000,000 Plenary lectures will be provided for each major area of the symposium. Three to four Nobel laureates in chemistry will others secretarial assistance 120,000 students 75,000 be invited as plenary lecturers. other activities 210,000 sum 1,075,000 sum 330,000 total 1,855,000 total 1,855,000

Special Programs and Financial Support Organization

Invitation of Young Researchers: International Finance Korean Advisory Committee - Prominent young chemists will be invited for the special sessions in ‘Chemistry of the Next Generation’. Chemical Board - Registration fees will be waived for the invited speakers. Society

Committee Executive Management Financial Support for Young Scientists: President Committee Committee - Eminent young scientists, including graduate students and researchers, will be selected worldwide by regional chemical societies and be so honored. - Traveling costs and registration fees will be covered for these selected young scientists. IUPAC Scientific Secretriat Committee

Encouragement for the Chemists from Economically Disadvantaged Countries: - A special fund will be prepared to promote the attendance of the selected chemists from economically Social Relationship disadvantaged countries. Committee

20 21 COEX and World Trade Center Complex VENUE One of the Top 10 Best World Convention Centers - COEX COEX is Korea’s top venue for international Conventions & Exhibitions. COEX also houses the Korean World Trade Center, and shares a home with two 5-star hotels and Asia’s largest shopping mall including a number of duty-free shops. COEX - A CITY IN A CITY �Total Area Approximately 40,000 m2 �Facilities Four specialized exhibition halls that can be partitioned into 12 separate smaller halls, a convention hall Everything you want in a convention center that can accommodate up to 7,000 people at once, and 51 conference rooms that can be partitioned into 89 separate rooms.

COEX Rooms Convention Hall 7,281 m2 opening/closing ceremony, general assembly Grand Ballroom 1,817 m2 poster exhibition, banquet Auditorium 4 rooms (250 m2/ea) plenary lectures and seminar Grand Conference Room theater (450 seat) opening/closing ceremony, award ceremonies ASEM Hall 520 m2 organizational meetings ASEM Hall Meeting Rooms 13 rooms (250 m2/ea) secretariat office, committee meetings Conference Center 27 rooms (250 m2/ea) general sessions, presidential and secretariat office Jangbogo Hall 1,639 m2 workshop, banquet Pacific Hall 10,368 m2 exhibition & special events Atlantic Hall 10,368 m2 exhibition & special events Indian Hall 8,010 m2 exhibition & special events

22 23 CONGRESS FACILITIES

Convention Hall Multi-Functional, largest convention hall in KOREA and fully equipped with the state-of-the-art facilities Located on the 3rd floor of COEX, the Convention Hall is a huge multipurpose hall that can accommodate up to 7,000 people at the same time. The hall covers 7,281 m2 - larger than the surface area of a football stadium - and can be partitioned into two halls, with each hall perfectly sound-proofed against the other through an optional buffer space of 9 meters between the two halls. This makes Convention Hall the perfect choice for any large event.

Opening and Closing Ceremonies for International Conferences and General Assemblies For such a large area, Convention Hall has an unexpectedly warm atmosphere, due to its honey-colored tiger skin marble interior. It is a popular choice for opening and closing ceremonies for large-scale international conferences, party conventions and general assemblies. It is also fully furnished with an infrastructure that contains all the necessary electrical, communications, water, and compressed air pipeline, making it a prime venue for hosting high quality Grand Conference Room exhibition events. Commemorative Events and Awards Ceremonies Located on the 4th floor of COEX, the Grand Conference Room is a theatre-type conference room with 450 seats. Tiered Grand Ballroom seating allows for excellent visibility and group participation in a more intimate theatre-style arrangement. Excellent choice for impressive events The Grand Ballroom is a spacious multipurpose hall that is located on the 1st floor. 1,817 m2 in size, it can accommodate ASEM Hall up to 1,800 people, and is ideal for meetings, banquets, and academic conventions, general assemblies, and Premium Conference Facilities, specially designed for the 3rd Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in 2000 performances. The Grand Ballroom can be partitioned into five rooms and is fully furnished with high-end A/V and ASEM Hall is located on the 2nd floor of COEX. Its design merges traditional Korean art with the most up-to-date lighting systems, allowing event planners to create the perfect mood. conference technology, providing a luxurious combination of beauty and function. With its oval shape, ASEM Hall is particularly suited to high-level negotiations or political meetings where the architecture can positively contribute to a Auditorium spirit of corporation between participants. Art and Function merge in a luxurious and impressive space The auditorium is located on the 3rd floor of COEX and is a theatre-type conference hall with 1,070 seats that is ASEM Hall Meeting Rooms completely furnished with state-of-the-art equipment. Its wing-shaped ceiling and seat arrangement produce an elegant ASEM Hall Meeting Rooms are symmetrically positioned within the hall, six rooms on each side (on the left and right from atmosphere while maintaining excellent acoustics and visibility. the center), and are used mainly for small seminars related to events hosted at ASEM Hall, such as the secretariat during international conferences, or as VIP rooms. They can be partitioned into a total of 14 rooms, depending on the needs of conference organizers.

Conference Center and Jangbogo Hall Most popular conference facilities at COEX Specially designed for conferences, the 30 rooms of the 3rd floor Conference Center can accommodate a wide range of events: From small boardroom meetings to seminars of up to 300 people. Six large conference rooms and 24 medium and small-sized conference rooms allow for various combinations within close proximity to each other, allowing your guests to find their intended location easily. The rooms can be partitioned into 48 smaller conference rooms to further assist with the flexibility of arrangement.

Exhibitors’ Seminars The Conference Center is located right next to the COEX’s specialized exhibition halls (Pacific Hall and Atlantic Hall). It is therefore an ideal place to hold exhibition-related seminars.

Jangbogo Hall Ideal space for long-tem Events Located on the 3rd floor of COEX, Jangbogo Hall is a multipurpose hall that evokes a contemporary and sophisticated air. Efficient event planning is made easier as the hall can be partitioned into six rooms. This hall measures 1,693 m2 in size and can accommodate up to 1,560 people. It is an ideal space for specialized long-term programs year-round.

24 25 EXHIBITION FACILITIES 2.Delegate Facilities There are convenient facilities for the participants within the convention center including Asia’s largest shopping mall. Pacific Hall, Atlantic Hall, and Indian Hall “Shoppertainment” is the word coined for this integrated shopping, cultural, educational, and leisure complex in the Pacific Hall has everything you need for a high-impact exhibition heart of Seoul. In the heart of COEX, Pacific Hall is located on the 1st floor of the main building and is where most large-scale exhibitions are held. Pacific Hall is 10,368 m2 and can be partitioned into four halls, accommodating roughly 520 booths. It has the COEX Mall best setting for hosting large-scale exhibitions, as well as specialized exhibitions and large-scale meetings. Endless experience with never-ending fun: an enjoyable experience unique in Korea COEX mall is yet another source of pride for COEX. Together with its multiplex movie theatre (MEGABOX), there is also An extended pillar-free area allows Atlantic Hall to host any multipurpose, combined event a giant aquarium, a major book store (BANDI & LUNI’s), many well-recognized domestic and international clothing Atlantic Hall is located on the 3rd floor of the main building, and is roughly the same size as Pacific Hall (10,368 m2). stores, and an incredible range of restaurants with offerings that will satisfy the taste of the participants. Olympia Hall is a pillar-free hall within Atlantic Hall that can accommodate up to 5,000 people. Its strength lies in holding COEX mall, with about 200 stores, is the largest underground mall in Asia, at roughly 14.5 times larger than Seoul’s large-scale events and banquets, as well as specialized exhibitions and other multipurpose, combined events. Atlantic Olympic Stadium. Hall can be partitioned into three halls, where 520 booths can be installed, giving it an edge in attracting specialized exhibitions and large-scale meetings. 3.City Airport Terminal (KCAT) Airport in downtown Seoul You can find convenient transfers to Incheon and Gimpo airports. Also, depending on your airline, you can check-in and go through expedited immigration procedures. The City Air Terminal is like having an airport in downtown Seoul.

COEX - HOW TO GET THERE

Convenient Access Transportation Information The easiest way to get to the COEX convention center from Incheon International airport is to take a bus. Both limousine and regular coach buses run to most parts of the city and country.

1. Korea City Air Terminal (KCAT) Airport-COEX (KCAT): Non-stop limousine bus (60 min) Quick Boarding Service From KCAT to Incheon International airport: 05:20 ~ 20:00 Indian Hall is a highly space-efficient venue From Incheon International airport to KCAT: 05:30 ~ 22:30 Located on the 1st floor in the North Wing of COEX, Indian Hall consists of an exhibition hall (7,200 m2) and a swing Operating interval: Every 5 ~ 10 minutes space. The hall can be partitioned into two sections, with room for up to 360 booths. The few pillars in the hall are spaced out in wide enough intervals to grant maximum flexibility in managing the area. As it can be combined with Pacific Hall 2. Well Developed Public Transportation through the swing space, Indian Hall is capable of hosting specialized exhibitions and large-scale meetings, as well as, Subway line 2 (anywhere in central Seoul within 60 min) various events and programs. Bus (17 different lines/destinations)

COEX is easily accessible through public transportation. A SUPPORTING FACILITIES and SERVICES Shuttle Service is offered between the Trade Center and Gangnam-gu Tancheon and Songpa-gu Parking lots for the 1.Catering Service convenience of all visitors. High-quality dining and beverages in the venue of your choosing Catering service is provided by the Western Chosun Hotel-a five star hotel-at all conference and exhibition halls at How to contact: COEX. A variety of catering services are available from the kitchen facilities located next to the event halls, covering �Address: COEX, World Trade Center, Samseong-dong, everything from mid-and small-sized cocktail parties to large-scale banquets for up to 10,000 people. Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 135-731, Korea �Tel: +82-2-6000-1122 Two other restaurants operated by the Westin Chosun are ideal locations for a relatively small-sized lunch functions. �Fax: +82-2-6000-1303 BIZBAS (400 seats, high quality business restaurant, provides Oriental, and Western cuisine, 2nd floor) �e-mail: [email protected] O’KIMS BRAUHAUS (400 seats, Food Court Style, 1st floor) �Website: http://www.coex.co.kr

26 HOST CITY - SEOUL Why Seoul? ■People-oriented Soul of Asia - A Modern City with a Rich History - A number of attractive areas rebuilt through the Han-River Renaissance Projects including the Cheonggye Downtown Stream Restoration. - Places for contemplation of past, present and future; with an ample abundance of traditional heritage and innovations.

■Convention friendly - Ranked 9th in the world, in terms of the number of international conventions. - Provides an ideal environment; many hotels available near and around the COEX convention center as well as a large pool of convention experts with well-rounded experience and foreign language fluency. Seoul, the capital of Korea for over 600 years, is the place where old traditions and modern trends are wonderfully mixed in perfect harmony. Major attractions include five major palaces, museums, temples, shrines, colorful festivals, ■Convenient worldwide connections shopping, and glittering nightlife, drawing thousands of visitors from all over the world. In Seoul, streets signs are - Direct connections with 84 airlines on 272 routes to 165 cities worldwide. written in both Korean and English, and often in Japanese and Chinese too. Seoul has one of the world’s best - 2,628 Domestic flights on 18 routes to the cities in Korea. subway systems, providing foreign travelers convenient and assured transportation to the major points of interest. While English is understood by many passers-by, visitors could also use the English-Korean interpretation devices ■Dynamism full of joy and diversity equipped in many taxis or the new “foreigner friendly taxis” that offer English service for a slightly higher fare. Seoul - An over 600-year-history with 266 cultural/historic sites; 5 major palaces, 68 galleries, 344 performance facilities, and is one of the safest places in the world, with an extremely low crime rate, highly advanced medical facilities and 200 cultural events. security systems. Above all, people in Seoul are very hospitable to the visitors. - Immediate access to well preserved and cultivated nature; the renowned Cheonggye Downtown Stream, theme parks, Han River, a number of mountains and hiking & walking trails within Seoul itself. - Variety of truly enjoyable nightlife everywhere in Seoul, Namsan (Seoul N Tower) and the Star Tower area, clubbing streets near Sinchon, Itaewon, etc.

28 29 Access - Flight time to Seoul Asia - Tokyo (2 hrs), Beijing (2 hrs), Bangkok (6 hrs), Singapore (6 hrs), Delhi (9 hrs) Europe - London (12 hrs), Paris (12 hrs), Rome (12 hrs), Frankfurt (12 hrs) North America - LA (12 hrs), Toronto (12 hrs), New York (14hrs) Oceania - Sydney (10 hrs), Wellington (11 hrs)

Accommodations

Being the political and commercial hub of , Seoul offers an outstanding variety of accommodations ranging from world-renowned hotels to more affordable motels. Finding the right accommodations according to need and budget is not a difficult task in Seoul. There are 17,343 deluxe hotel rooms, 7,841 first & second-class rooms, and 2,121 hotel- serviced residence units available near and around the COEX convention center. Also available are various home-stay programs; including traditional Korean-style Home-stays, Temple Stays, etc. In addition to a number of internet based accommodation search/reservation programs, The Seoul City Tourism Promotion Division operates a Website to help visitors find right rooms for their needs. Secure accommodations of your own choice from the extensive list of Seoul hotels at discounted rates such as:

Major Hotels around COEX Hotel Distance Room Grand Intercontinental Seoul 0 km 650 Coex Intercontinental Seoul 0 km 535 Oakwood Premier Coex Center 0 km 280 Park Hyatt Seoul 1.4 km 185 Renaissance Seoul Hotel 2.8 km 500 Lotte Hotel 4.0 km 513 Access Imperial Palace Hotel 2.8 km 414 The Ritz-Carlton Hotel 3.2 km 410 Directly connected to the World Ibis Seoul 1.6 km 317 Seoul is directly connected to 165 cities worldwide through 84 airlines with 272 routes, for Incheon International Airport Ramada Seoul 1.7 km 245 alone, the main gate to Seoul.

■ From Incheon International Airport to COEX and downtown Seoul ■Hotels Incheon International Airport received numerous Awards including the Best Airport Service Quality Award for 3 consecutive - More than 30 hotels within 5 km from the proposed venue, COEX, with 7,500 rooms at various rates ($130-250). years given by ACI (Airport Council International). It is readily connected to the Seoul downtown with state-of-the-art public transportation systems including Airport Railroad Express (AREX), Airport Express Buses, and Airport Taxis (cost: $10 - $100). ■Innostel (innovative hostel) - Low-to-medium-priced accommodations ($50-100) ■ Transportation in Seoul - Clean and cost-effective, brand new accommodations chain, approved and guaranteed by the Seoul Metropolitan Seoul Convention Card (Multi-use Transportation Pass) will be offered to every registered participant. This rechargeable Government. card allows the use of various types of public transportations (bus, subway and taxi) in Seoul. - 80 Innostels with 3,000 rooms available in the Seoul downtown area 1. Subway (http://www.seoulsubway.co.kr) - Reservations and further information, http://innostel.visitseoul.net - 8 main metro subway lines - Clean, safe, frequent, air-conditioned and highly affordable (1 US$) ■University Dormitories 2. Bus (frequent, air-conditioned and abundant anywhere in Seoul) - Very affordable ($30-60) 3. Taxi - KCS will make arrangements with major universities in Seoul for the use of their dormitory rooms. Most of them are - Very affordable with basic fares of about 1.8 US$ for the first 2 km and 10 cents for each additional 144 m. conveniently accessible to and from COEX via subways. A 20 percent surcharge is added to the fares between midnight and 4 am. 4. Call Taxi for the Handicapped - The Seoul Metropolitan Government provides a special taxi service to the handicapped to help with their travel. The fare is 40 percent of normal taxi. 5. Travel Tips for the Handicapped - Handicapped travelers should take note of the many discount programs offered at various facilities and are recommended to take advantage of those benefits and services. 6. Traveling in Korea with Children - Most subways in Korea are equipped with escalators as well as elevators for the easy handling of strollers. - A child under the age of 7, accompanied by an adult, can ride buses and subways for free. For more than one child, a small fee may apply.

30 31 Location KOREA - Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK) and often referred to as South Korea, is a presidential republic in East Asia, occupying the southern half of the Korean Peninsula. Also known as the "Land of the Morning Calm", it is neighbored by China to the west, Japan to the east and shares a border with North Korea to the north. Therefore, it HISTORY, CULTURE & is not surprising that Korea serves as the international hub of Asia. Climate Korea’s climate is regarded as a continental climate from a temperate standpoint and a monsoon climate from a TOURIST ATTRACTIONS precipitation standpoint. The climate of Korea is characterized by four distinct seasons. In Seoul, the average January temperature range is -7°C to 1°C (19°F to 33°F), and the average July temperature range is 22°C to 29°C (71°F to 83°F).

History Korea’s five-millennia-long history has contributed greatly to its illustrious cultural heritage and exotic charm. A visit to the country’s numerous historical attractions, seven of which were designated UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites, will make your journey all the more special.

Gojoseon Kingdom (2333-108 BC) - Three Kingdoms Period (57 BC - 668 AD) - Unified Shilla Period (676-935 AD) - Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392 AD) - Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) - The Republic of Korea (1948 to present)

The Republic of Korea was established in the south as an independent government in 1948. Korea’s tireless post- war reconstruction efforts were highly successful in the promotion of national prosperity and stability. In 1988, Seoul, the Capital of Korea, hosted the Olympics.

Language and Korean is the official language of Korea. Hangul is the native alphabet of the , as distinguished from the logographic Sino-Korean system. It was created in 1443 during the reign of King Sejong, and is now the official script of Korea. Hangul is a phonetic alphabet which consists of 14 consonants and 10 vowels. UNESCO awards a King Sejong Literacy Prize every year in memory of the inventor of Hangul.

32 33 Tourist Attractions

Royal Remnants Gyeongbokgung Palace is located in the northwestern part of downtown Seoul and has four compass-oriented gates behind the outer Gwanghwamun Gate. King Taejo was the founder of the Joseon Kingdom and the palace was established during the fourth year of his reign. There are mapped out areas such as halls, pavilions, gates, bridges, storerooms, and offices. It spans out over some 419,100 square meters of grounds. The Presidential Blue House is the office and residence of the President of South Korea. It is called Cheong Wa Dae. The location of Cheong Wa Dae was first used as the site of a royal villa in what was then Namgyeong (the southern capital). It was Modern Seoul built by King Sukjong of the Goryeo Kingdom in 1104, the ninth year of his reign. After a trip to the top of Seoul’s Namsan N Tower (offering a panoramic view of the sprawling Seoul area), guests can make their way to DeokSu Palace. Here, Going back in Korean History museum patrons can enjoy several exhibits showcasing the most celebrated Namsan Hanok Village is comprised of several types and groups of Hanok (traditional Korean houses) where you Korean contemporary arts of the 20th century. The trip concludes with a stop at can appreciate the household establishments as well as the traditional style of residences of the Joseon Dynasty’s the National Palace Museum of Korea, which preserves sophisticated royal court Yangban (upper-class). The Korean Folk Village is the home of true Korean heritage where many features of Korean articles of the Joseon Dynasty. After, guests can go on a Han River cruise. The culture have been collected and preserved for future generations to see and learn about. It is set in a natural Han River runs through the heart of the Korean peninsula. On its way through environment occupying approximately 980,000 square meters. Visitors can experience the authentic atmosphere Seoul, bisecting the capital, it passes by many scenic attractions along its banks. with over 260 traditional houses reminiscent of the late Joseon Dynasty including various household goods from different regions. DMZ, A Border Area This is a very special tour destination that offers a real vivid, eye-opening look at the Korean War. Sitting on the border between North and South Korea, it is also known as an environmentalist’s heaven, where natural beauty is preserved in its original form, uninterrupted by humans.

Gyeongju: a Treasure - Trove of Korean Culture This city is called “a museum without walls” because it is filled with historic sites and treasures from the ancient Shilla period. Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto, designated as World Cultural Heritage sites by UNESCO, exemplify the high aesthetic standards of our Korean ancestors. If you are particularly interested in Korean culture and history, please do not miss this golden opportunity.

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